What GMC Sierra 1500 Model Years Provide the Best Options for You? 

Here at Victory GMC, we take immense pride in the wide selection of vehicles that we have for sale. While some people might simply describe us as a new and used GMC dealer, we tend to think of ourselves as a location that provides an essential service to the community that we all call home. With many Texas drivers looking to purchase used vehicles in order to save money, we thought it would be a good time to break down some of the significant changes to the GMC Sierra 1500 over the past five years. Knowledge is power, and the information that we’re presenting here today will allow you to make an informed decision regarding your next vehicle purchase. 

2017: More Features for Family Safety 

GMC has always been known for its prowess and performance, but there’s much more to being the best than simply having a high towing capacity and effective powertrain. Safety is among the most critical aspects of any vehicle purchase, and the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced a new way to deliver assurance and peace of mind to its drivers. All trims that year came standard with GMC’s Teen Driver technology. Knowing that the younger drivers in your household are adhering to the lessons you’re teaching them has long been a concern for many parents, but not anymore. This program gives you oversight into how fast your kids are driving and what habits they’re practicing behind the wheel. 

For more experienced drivers, the available Enhanced Driver Alert Package adds Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking and other driver-assist technologies. A surprising number of collisions occur each year, and you might be even more surprised by how many of them occur at low speeds. GMC, always one to put its customers first, introduced these features to help prevent accidents from happening. For drivers who need a truck for towing and trailering, the 2017 Sierra 1500 also led its class for that year with a maximum towing capacity of 12,500 lbs. 

2018: eAssist Arrives on the Playing Field 

A gradual implementation of more hybrid and electric powertrains has occurred throughout the industry in recent years. This technology has been utilized for ever-larger vehicles to the point where all-electric trucks and SUVs are already available to the average driver. In 2018, GMC introduced eAssist to Sierra 1500 drivers nationwide after two years of testing in select markets. This mild-hybrid system consists of a small electric motor/generator that is attached to the crankshaft of the available 5.3L V8 engine.

The implementation of this device serves a two-fold purpose. It can either help the vehicle recoup energy as it decelerates or increase the engine’s output with the benefit of an additional 13 hp and 44 lb-ft of torque. Those who have heavy jobs to do can attest to the fact that every little bit of extra strength helps immensely. The 2018 model year also saw a seven-inch touchscreen IntelliLink infotainment system and rear-view camera made standard equipment on base model trucks. This provides smartphone integration, navigation via OnStar-connected services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and even the ability to stream audio via Pandora. 

2019: Off-Roading Gets a Premium Upgrade 

For those who favor the rough-and-tumble world of off-roading, the pickup truck has long been a preferred method to enjoy this lifestyle. In 2019, GMC introduced the AT4 trim, which was specifically designed to assist those who enjoy the path less traveled. Not only is a 5.3L V8 engine standard on the 2019 Sierra 1500 AT4, but four-wheel drive and a locking rear differential make any terrain easy to navigate. There are also further adjustments that make this vehicle a force to be reckoned with, such as a two-inch suspension lift and Rancho shock absorbers that were tailor-made for off-road performance. Perhaps one of the most fascinating features that set a new standard in the industry is the available CarbonPro carbon fiber pickup box, which had never been done before. 

2020: Bringing More to the Table Than Ever Before 

To say that the year 2020 was a tumultuous period would be quite an understatement. As the pandemic shook normalcy to its very foundations, new words such as “social distancing” and “quarantine” became normalized in almost any conversation. While travel was certainly limited this year, it didn’t stop GMC from unveiling one of the best Sierra 1500 models to date. A wide variety of new items were introduced that spoke to the never-ending dedication to quality repeatedly practiced by the brand. 

Features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, trailer camera views, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Following Distance Indicator are all available as part of the Driver Alert Package II. There are also a wider variety of powertrains than had been available in previous years, including the new 3.0L Duramax I-6 turbo-diesel. The ProGrade trailering system makes towing easier than ever before, not to mention much safer, with the advent of oversight through various camera views. Two distinctive high-end stereo systems from Kicker and Bose allow drivers to take their entertainment to maximum volume to match the prowess that the Sierra 1500 has always offered. 

2022: Footloose and Hands-Free

The most recent model year that you can find a used GMC Sierra 1500 from is also one of the most advanced and capable in memory. Of all the features that were introduced, there was none that arrived with more excitement across the entire scope of the industry than Super Cruise. GMC’s semi-autonomous driving mode, with thousands of miles of pre-programmed roads, ushered in a new era in what driver-assistance technology could be capable of. 

While the previously-mentioned AT4 off-roading trim had forever changed the way GMC drivers could navigate the inhospitable terrain that lies beyond paved roads, the game was changed even further with the introduction of the AT4X trim of the 2022 Sierra 1500. The new features introduced with the AT4X trim included a boisterous 6.2L V8 engine equipped with a ten-speed automatic transmission for maximum performance and capability. Building upon the previous innovations introduced with the AT4, some of the improvements included a chassis and suspension geared towards off-roading and new springs that improved both the front and rear suspension over the previous design, once again showing that GMC was far ahead of the curve. Front and rear-locking differentials were even introduced before any other manufacturer could do so. 

The Best in Class Is Awaiting You at Victory GMC

We hope that the information we presented to you today has provided you with some exceptional insight into what makes GMC the most-trusted truck brand in the country. No matter what your objectives might be––trailering, off-roading, or simply having a vehicle that commands respect wherever it travels––GMC is a brand that delivers the goods on time, every single time, without fail. 

For the best selection of GMC vehicles and expert knowledge of what each model and trim can do for you, look no further than the experts here at Victory GMC. With our vast inventory and a sales team that understands the ins and outs of the industry, we can help you make a well-informed decision that will allow you to live your best possible life and accomplish what you might have once thought was impossible.

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